Program Manager (LM)

EDGE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salaries

Family visas

Annual flight tickets

Medical insurance

Education allowances

Job summary

EDGE in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead strategic planning, development, and execution of complex unmanned aerial system programs. You will provide cross-functional technical leadership across aerodynamics, mechanical, electronics, control systems, and software teams, overseeing integration, testing, risk management, and roadmaps.

You'll drive continuous product improvement, maintain project documentation for stakeholders, optimize drone performance, and deliver reliable,

Qualifications

• 12+ years in aerospace/defense with agile or hybrid cycles.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering or technical field.
• PM or System Engineering certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term strategies for program development and execution.
• Manage complex drone-system projects with cutting-edge innovation.
• Perform feasibility analysis aligning with objectives and market needs.
• Allocate resources across projects for optimal use of personnel and budget
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout lifecycles.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver integrated loitering munition solutions.

Skills

Aerospace

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

System integration

Unmanned aerial systems

Flight testing

Resource allocation

Technical roadmaps

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

PM tools

Job description

About Edge

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

About The Role

ADVANCED CONCEPTS is an entity within EDGE dedicated to the design and deployment of advanced, innovative technologies. ADVANCED CONCEPTS is fast-tracking the development of high-technology autonomous systems, including three Medium Endurance, High Altitude, fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems, a family of precision loitering munitions, a cost-effective family of cruise missiles, and a range of guided artillery munitions.

Lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of complex unmanned aerial system programs, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, technical requirements, and market needs. Provide cross-functional technical leadership across aerodynamics, mechanical, electronics, control systems, and software teams, overseeing system integration, testing, risk management, resource allocation, and technical roadmaps. Drive continuous product improvement and maintain comprehensive program documentation and reporting to ensure successful delivery, performance, reliability, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements long-term strategies for program development and execution, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and market needs.
• Manage complex engineering projects focused on the development and integration of advanced drone systems, ensuring technical objectives are met with precision and cutting-edge innovation.
• Conduct feasibility analysis for project requirement, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and market needs.
• Allocates resources effectively across projects, ensuring optimal use of personnel and budget.
• Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks throughout the program/ project lifecycle.
• Acts as the primary liaison between the technical development team including aerodynamics, mechanical, electronics, control systems, and software development, to deliver integrated loitering munition solutions.
• Provides technical guidance to project teams, ensuring the design and development of loitering munition system, and technical requirements. Coordinates technical aspects of field/flight tests.
• Oversee the seamless integration of loitering munition subsystems, guaranteeing that each component operates harmoniously within the overall system architecture.
• Formulate and execute a clear strategic technical roadmap for loitering munition development programs, translating high-level objectives into actionable engineering milestones
• Create detailed status reports on monthly, quarter / yearly basis, according to the instructions.
• Responsible of compiling internal and external documentation about product development, maintaining comprehensive records for internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive the continual optimization of drone performance parameters, including flight stability, payload capacity, and energy efficiency through innovative engineering solutions.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years in aerospace and defense industry with demonstrated experience working within agile or hybrid development cycles.
• Bachelor’s / Master’s in Engineering, or other technical fields.
• Certification in Project Management (e.g., PMP) or System Engineering (e.g., INCOSE CSEP) is preferable

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific experience in Loitering Munition, advanced drone systems such as tactical, strategical, reconnaissance variants and anti-drones.
• Deep understanding of the technical aspects of defense systems, including design, development and integration.

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people.

• Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free
• Family visas
• Annual flight tickets
• Medical insurance for you and your dependents
• Education allowances for your children

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.